Support for mobile phones and multimedia devices

ABSTRACT

A support for mobile phones and multimedia devices that has a support plane presented by a main structural member. The supporting plane is characterized by a plurality of slots. A plurality of bolts with a plurality of complementary fastening elements associated with said bolts are slidably received in the slots. When the complementary fastening elements loosened, the bolts can slid. When the complementary fastening elements are fixed the bolts cannot slid. In this manner the bolts can be positioned in a preselected spatial array, and fixed in the slots. The spatial array holds removably but securely a mobile phone or multimedia device so that its controls are accessible and can be actuated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support for mobile phones and handheld multimedia devices such as a computer, an MP3 or MP4 player and like media players.

2. Prior Art

Various holders have been proposed to hold mobile phones and different holders have been proposed for handheld media players. To applicant's knowledge, no stand is known for general use for all such items. For example, stands for holding an electronic device are known from Design Pat. Nos. D501,205 and D430,154. However, if one desires to remove the device from the base or support in order to be able to charge the electronic device, the support becomes irrelevant.

The same is true for holders of headphone's input on an electronic device. If it coincides with the lateral containments of some supports, this makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for one to use that function on a device while it rests on the base or support. On the other hand there are bases or supports that charge batteries but these are model-specific and do not adapt to different models. The present invention was conceived and developed in order to solve these inconveniences. The present invention can be adapted to the needs of each handheld electronic device, regarding size, in order to achieve stability and containment, and to enable connection to external devices, regardless of the location (upper, lower or lateral) of the input/output ports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a device or stand or holder for use indoors, in places like a kitchen, a bedroom, an office, a workshop, a car, or an electronics store, for holding the aforementioned electronic devices, allowing these devices, at the same time, to be connected to battery chargers, USB ports, headphones, etc. The device of the present invention can be located on a horizontal surface, like a desk, or vertical surface, like a wall. The objective is to provide a safe and clearly visible place for holding the electronic device in a manner so that the user will be enabled to use the input/output ports and/or keys of the device being held. Therefore, the invention contemplates that any auxiliary equipment, like battery chargers, can be accommodated in the novel stand.

The foregoing objectives of the invention are accomplished by a novel device that provides a planar support that is provided with the means for mounting on a surface and by means of slots and orifices formed in the planar support coacting with bolts enables creating a special arrangement suitable for holding the electronic device. The positioning of the threaded_bolts or threaded studs having one of a threaded projection and threaded recess creates is variable and then can be spun or slid across a slot or inserted into an orifice as needed to create the necessary spatial array. The bolts or studs are fixed in position by means of a tie or fastener that has one of a complementary threaded projection or threaded recess. Thus, the positioning of a plurality of bolts on special grids with different external special and/or notional perimeters enables electronic devices to be held and be accessible for operation. The bolts can also be repositioned whenever they are obstructing a key or an input/output port the user needs by simply loosening the tie or fastener and retightening at the reselected location. Repositioning also takes place when a new device is to be supported.

The way to organize the spatial array of the novel planar support is based primarily in the way the bolts relate to the slots and orifices in a plane, regardless whether these holes have irregular shape, regular shape or they're simply round holes. In the case of the slots, these can be straight, curved or a combination of both; the bolts need to be inserted tightly against the edges of the slot or orifice but at the same time the bolts can be loosen in order to slide and change the position inside the slot or orifice or to be removed and inserted into a different slot or orifice. The tie or fastening of each bolt can be given by means of an element like a nut, or a bolt pre-loaded with a coil or automated systems so that it is held in position by pressure, similar to those constructions used in the extraction of the tip of a pen. The outer body of the bolt may be defined, in cross-section, as a cylinder, or another form of revolution with concave or convex walls, or its outer body could be a preselected irregular shape such as a drop of water. As there are situations when these electronic devices (mobile phones, multimedia players) are not being carried and simply lay on a table or desk, with the aim of battery charging or simply not carrying them all the time. For these situations the invention provides several models or embodiments for holding the electronic devices vertically or inclined in order to be safely and visibly held and available to the user and to avoid drop or loss. The present invention enables a stand that can readily be adapted to each electronic device's specific needs, such as, different shapes or sizes and the location of external input/output ports. For example, when one desires to charge a mobile phone's battery and at the same time have it readily available for use, the stand or holder of the present invention satisfies these requirements. In most cases the charger's input (on a device) coincides with the area of the support that the device will have contact with.

This is made possible through an adjusting or adapting method specially designed for cases like these and materialized by a bolt, which is constituted by mobile pieces that rest, slide or slide and twist in multiple slots and/or orifices found on the frontal or superior plane of the support's structure, to be manually adjusted or switched into the desired position. These pieces, with reduced dimensions and a configuration based on a primarily cylindrical shaped bolt as center or axis, along with the multiple places in which they may lodge, enable a myriad of alternatives for holding multimedia players and/or mobile phones specifically, allowing buttons and input/output ports in these devices to be available for their proper use.

Taking into account this new utility and becoming aware of the fundamental and indispensable role that different accessories have over the aforementioned equipment (mobile phones and multimedia players), the novel holders or stands of the present invention are provided with an area or location to hold these accessories either by hanging them, rolling them up or putting them into a specified location in the stand. As a consequence of what was described and based on the new utilities that the invention brings, it can also have: A) A fastening area to hang it or fix it on a wall by means of an adhesive or screws, with the aim of keeping the devices out of work areas, out of reach for children, and at the same time keeping them handy. B) An area on the front, laterals or its base utilized to show photographs, images or advertisements thus working as a photo frame, customized or merchandising support. C) An area for holding stationary goods, such as pens, pencils, etc. D) An illuminating device for decorative purposes. E) Interchangeable pieces to customize the product's image depending on the user.

On the other hand, different alternatives for constructing the invention are available:

-   -   1—By giving it structure and generating the support structure         constituted by one or more pieces, developed in such dimensions         that will allow the lodging of more than one device. These         pieces would count with means of linking that would enable them         to come together and apart for better storage or transportation.     -   2—A standalone flat piece that bends in order to give shape to         the support structure and the lodging areas; also providing a         place to hang or roll the devices' accessories (e.g.: plugs and         cables)     -   3—The lodging places of the switching pieces can be holes,         slots, grooves or lines on the support structure either in         vertical, horizontal or oblique position.     -   4—The switching pieces can be constituted by one cylindrical         piece and have a screw or rivet as a fastening method. They can         be constituted by a piece similar to the aforementioned one         which is placed over another flat piece and this latter will         pivot over an axis defined by the holes, slots or grooves         provided in the support structure. As a conclusion, the body of         each bolt could be of revolution, oval section or correspond to         an organic shape among all the formal alternatives that it could         have. Accomplishing this through specific elements that are         placed in fixed or switching locations (horizontal, vertical or         oblique slots) of the support's main body, or fixed but spinning         around an axis or fixed moving along with another element         subject to the main body.

The constituent elements of this invention are; a planar support that has holes, slots or orifices with which the bolts coact as specific elements, so that the bolts are adjustably positioned relative to these slots and can be repositioned. Also, the bolts are fashioned to be usable with the holes/orifices and thereby are switching pieces. The planar support can be a sheet or it can be an injected, extruded, laser cutting, mechanized or molten piece as long as the internal perimeter of each hole/orifice/slot has a minimum thickness that holds the bolt as if in a sandwich, with two elements that press on each side the plane adjoining to the edge of each slot, hole or orifice, e.g. a bolt and a nut.

Therefore, the invention features the following advantages: First, it adapts to the shape and size of mobile phones and multimedia player devices and enables the use of their buttons and input/output ports. Second, it provides more stability and safety, including the possibility for the device to be placed horizontally, vertically or inclined at any angle. Third, it has a special area where different accessories such as battery chargers and headphones can be stored or held. Fourth, it can hang or be affixed on a wall, or other vertical planes such us a vehicle's dashboard, without interfering with its other features/functions. Finally, it can perform decorative functions. Summarizing, the structural body of the inventive device can provide spaces or shapes to lodge or roll cables, chargers, grooves and any other element related to the functioning of a mobile phone or multimedia device, as well as the possibility for the support to represent a decorative element or be combined to act as a holder for portraits, lamps or pens. The novel device also is characterized by having a place or area that enables the novel device to be hung on a screw or hook; or affixed with an adhesive to any surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for this invention to be clearly understood and no inconveniences should arise when putting it into practice, it will be described in detail, making reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective an embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows in perspective the embodiment of FIG. 1 holding a mobile phone.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective the back side of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of a bolt and its cooperating tie element.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a bolt and a different cooperating tie element.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a bolt and how it is mounted to the planar support.

FIG. 7 shows still another example of a bolt and how it is mounted to the planar support.

FIG. 8 shows yet another example of a bolt and how it is mounted to the planar support.

FIG. 9 shows still yet another example of a bolt and how it is mounted to the planar support.

FIG. 10 shows another example of a bolt and how it is mounted to the planar support.

FIG. 11 shows in perspective a second embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows in perspective a third embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention, illustrating a mobile phone charging its batteries.

FIG. 13 shows in perspective from the back the third embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention, illustrating a place to keep the cable and the battery charger.

FIG. 14 shows in perspective from the back a fourth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating main structure built on a solid metal piece bent to form the structure.

FIG. 15 shows in perspective from the front a fifth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating another structural alternative.

FIG. 16 shows in perspective from the back the fifth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows in perspective from the front a sixth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating an area to display pictures or any other graphic.

FIG. 18 shows in perspective from the back the sixth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows in perspective from the front a seventh embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating use for more than one device at the same time.

FIG. 20 shows in side view an eighth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating hanging on a wall.

FIG. 21 shows in perspective from the back a variation of the first embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows in perspective from the front a ninth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating use of holes as an alternative for the slots.

FIG. 23 shows in perspective from the front a tenth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating an additional example of the structural body.

FIG. 24 shows in perspective from the front a tenth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention the support shown in FIG. 23 holding a mobile phone.

FIG. 25 shows in perspective from the front an eleventh embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating a main structural body that enables hanging a note pad and inserting a pen or pencil.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show in perspective from the front and back, respectively, a twelfth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention illustrating a main structural body that enables a pen or pencil support and has slots that are not straight but curved, with the back providing space for storing charging equipment.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show in perspective from the front and back, respectively, a thirteenth embodiment of the novel holder or support of the present invention supporting a mobile telephone and illustrating a main structural body in the form of a fanciful figure of a person with slots formed in the legs and arms of the figure.

FIG. 30 shows in rear perspective a metal stand upon which is mounted a wood planar support having slots or holes that coacts with bolts for holding e.g. a mobile telephone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 show in perspective, a first embodiment of the novel stand or support. The main structural body (1) presents a planar support surface (2). A support strut or base (3) is fixed to the structural body (1) and is inclined. Oblique slots (4) and holes (5) are formed in the body (1) in which bolts (6) are slidably mounted and fixed in preselected positions in order to hold an electronic device like a mobile telephone, as shown. FIG. 2 shows in perspective the same support holding a mobile phone (7) through the bolts (6) fixed to the slots (4). FIG. 3 shows in perspective the back side where one can see the head end elements (8) that fix or tie the bolts (6). Also shown is the support base (3) formed with openings for receiving the prongs of a plug used for charging the phone.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the bolt 6 and the way in which it relates with the support (1) and planar surface (2). The bolt bears against the surface of the main body by stressing the bolt's body (6), the end (9), in this case, a screw, the head of it being the head of the end (10) joined by the screw (11) to the body of the bolt (6), and at the same time the pod (12) that covers the body of the bolt (6). This pod can be made of different materials.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the bolt (6) and a different way in which it relates (is fixed) to the plane (2) of the main body (1). The body of the bolt (6), in this case the head end (13) is a passing screw and a nut (11) is threaded on the end. In this view, the body of the bolt is cylindrical, but narrowed in the center.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the bolt and a different way in which it relates or is fixed in position to the plane (2) of the main body. The end (15) together with the head (16) is lodged on a slot that has a counter wall (17).

FIG. 7 shows another example of the bolt and a different way in which it relates and is fixed to the plane (2) of the main body (1). The bolt (6) coacts with fixation element having end (18) with head (19). An expansion coil (20) that pre-charges the bolt and end against the plane support (2).

FIG. 8 shows another example of the bolt and a different way in which it relates and is fixed to the plane of the main body (2). The bolt (6) is provided with an O-ring mounted on a groove at its free end. The fixing element (22) is shown with head (23) and coacts with the bolt via threading. A spring (24) is located between the head and the back part of the support plane (2) to pre-stress the bolt.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the bolt and a different way in which it relates or is fixed to the plane of the main body (2). In this case, the body of the bolt is shown coacting with a fixation member consisting of extension (25) with its head (26) and an automatic spring biases click and release system (27), similar to those used in automatic pens.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the bolt and a different way in which it relates to the plane of the main body (2). The body of the bolt (28) is prism shaped and coacts with a threaded rod. The bolt is shown with the center of the end (29) moved to one of the extremes.

FIG. 11 shows the support in which the support plane (2) and the support base (3) consist of one piece. The slots/grooves (4) are horizontal and parallel and are located on the support plane (2) so the adjustment bolts (6) are moved and slid horizontally to position them. The bolts are of a right cylindrical section.

FIG. 12 shows a support holding a mobile phone (7) with a battery charger (30) connected to a wall outlet (31).

FIG. 13 shows the illustration of FIG. 12 from the back to show that the support plane (2) and the support base (3) are two different and independent pieces linked by another piece (32) around which the battery charger cable (33) can be rolled. This support plane (2) being independent in form enables the support base (3) the possibility of being interchangeable, thus allowing the support to be customizable.

FIG. 14 shows the support where a support plane (2),a support base (3) and an area to keep accessories (34) and (35) built in one piece that by means of folding or bending give the item its final shape.

FIG. 15 shows another example of an adjustment method highlighting numerous vertical slots (4) where the bolts (6) slide and a counter plane (17).

FIG. 16 shows the support of FIG. 15 from the back, where it can be seen that the support plane (2) and the support base (3) are built from the same piece and at the same time they are bend at their horizontal edges to create a container area (36) where accessories can be kept/stored.

FIG. 17 shows another alternative for the adjustment method in which the slidable bolts (6) have a “fingernail” type external shape and cross section, where the center of the extremity is moved off-center of the “fingernail”, this end relates or is fixed in the lateral vertical slots (4). The possibility of pivoting that this bolt has allows it to reduce the distance that may exist between the object to be held and the pivot center. In this figure, a container area (36) where the accessories can be kept/stored is also shown on the support plane (2), and an area (37) on the support plane (2) to place a photograph, graphic or advertisement.

FIG. 18 shows a support similar to that shown in FIG. 17, where the support plane (2) and the support base (3) are two different and independent pieces and where the latter can be detached in order to reduce space when being transported or stored. This figure also shows an accessory (38) hanging from the containers (36) as well as the orifice (39) from where to hang the support on a wall.

FIG. 19 shows a support wider than the previous ones thus allowing the lodging of more than one device at the same time. Its width is developed to lodge 2 mobile phones, but it could be broadened to host 4, 5 or more. This latter disposition can be used in a shop in order to show several of these devices at the same time.

FIG. 20 shows a laminar support hanging from a wall fitting or mounting element (40) such as a picture hook mounted on a wall (41).

FIG. 21 shows a support where the support plane (2) is constituted by a sheet of similar characteristics of the support base (3) which are detachably connected together at (42) to allow being detached to reduce storage space. The support base (3) also has a place (43) of reduced section where a charger cable can be wound around and another area (44) to receive the prongs of a plug through slots conforming to conventional electricity plugs. This figure also shows a perforation or orifice (45) where one could keep/place, for example, a headset.

FIG. 22 shows another example of the support plane which has multiple perforations (5) where the bolts (6) are lodged. In this case, oval bolts are shown, which have their pivot center off-centered or offset to allow more than one adjustment possibility.

FIG. 23 shows a support in which the support plane (2) is constituted by elongated narrow mobile pieces (46) formed with slots on which the adjustment bolts (6) slide to desired positions where they are fixed, allowing to adjust the position of those pieces according to the needs of the device that is going to be held on the support. The arrows (49) shows the twist directions of the pieces constituting the support plane (2)

FIG. 24 shows the same support shown in FIG. 23 holding a mobile phone.

FIG. 25 shows a support where the main structural body allows an area to hang or mount a note pad (47) and orifices (48) where a pen or pencil can be inserted for storage.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate front and rear views of an embodiment in which the slots (60) formed in the support (62) are curved and have enlarged holes (64) at their center position. Also orifices (66) are formed in the support. Bolts or pins (68) slide in the curved slots (60), or are received in the holes (64) and fixed in any desired position by means previously disclosed, which could be simply a nut. The stand (70) is separate and has a tilted L-shape and is fixed or detachably attached to the front support (62) by tabs 71, which are received in fittings on the back of support (62) to be held in a spaced apart relation, as shown. The space between stand (70) and support (68) is used to roll up a cable accessory with the termination or plug of the cable being held in slot 72 formed in the stand (70). The stand (70) has a horizontally bent portion (74) provided with holes or openings (76) that are aligned with the orifices (66) to hold writing utensils or similar items. The base (78) of the stand can serve as a container for storage for receiving and storing accessories used with a mobile phone.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate front and rear views of a stand that is patterned after the stand described regarding FIGS. 23 and 24. In this case, the device support (80) consists of elongated narrow strips (82), provided with slots (84), and formed as a fanciful figure with arms and legs and a shadow thereof. The bolts (86) can be of any design as previously described and are moved or slid to desired positions and fixed to hold an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone. The support (80) is carried on a base or stand (90) in a detachable manner to enable disassembly in an easy manner to make transport simpler and easier. The stand (90) is composed of two parts (92, 94) to form a tilted L-shape that is connected by adjustable hinge joints (96) to set the inclination. The vertical part (94) of stand (90) has on its back side a fitting (98) for holding writing utensils or the like type of articles that is similar to what is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. The fitting (98) is held in a space relation to the vertical part (94) of stand (90) by means of a cylindrical member 81 that is fixed to both the vertical part (94) of stand (90) and fitting (98), with the space defined between them providing storage for a cable, which can be wound around the member 81.

Taking into account this new utility and becoming aware of the fundamental and indispensable role that different accessories have over the aforementioned equipment (mobile phones and multimedia players), the novel holders or stands of the present invention are provided with an area to hold these accessories either by hanging them, rolling them up or putting them into a specified location in the stand. As a consequence of what was described and based on the new utilities that the invention brings, it can also have: A) A fastening area to hang it or fix it on a wall or a surface in a car, such as a dashboard, by means of adhesive or screws, with the aim of keeping the devices out of work areas, out of reach for children, and at the same time keeping them handy. B) An area on the front, laterals or its base utilized to show photographs, images or advertisements thus working as a photo frame, customized or merchandising support. C) An area for holding stationary goods, such as pens, pencils, etc. D) An illuminating device for decorative purposes. E) Interchangeable pieces to customize the product's image depending on the user. F) A clock, G) A thermometer, H) A sensor to detect when the phone is calling and activate a speaker or lights in the support. FIG. 30 shows how the present invention can be mounted in an automobile on its dashboard, as an example. The stand (100) is articulated by inclination joints (102) to an L-shaped two-piece articulated supporting structure (104). The articulation joints (106) enable the supporting structure (104) to be adjusted to the most desirable angle relative to the dashboard (108). The portion (110) of the supporting structure (104) is detachably fixed or fixed to the dashboard (108) by any known means. An electronic device (112) is shown in the stand (100) at a convenient angle.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in terms of preferred embodiments, changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are deemed to fall within the purview of the appended claims. 

1. A support for mobile phones and multimedia devices comprising a support plane presented by a main structural member, said supporting plane characterized by a plurality of slots, and a plurality of bolts, a plurality of complementary fastening elements associated with said bolts, said bolts slidably received in said slots with said complementary fastening elements coupled with said bolts such that the bolts and associated complementary fastening elements can be mounted on the main structural member in a loosened and fixed manner in the slots for positioning in a spatial array, said bolts being fixable in said slots by tightening the complementary fastening elements in a preselected spatial array to hold removably but securely a mobile phone or multimedia device so that its controls are accessible and can be actuated while being so held.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said support plane has one of an irregular shape or regular shape.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the irregular shape simulates a fanciful floral configuration.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the support is in a planar structure.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the slots are one of straight and curved slots and the main structural member also defines a plurality of holes.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein a second member is removably attached to the main structural member and functions as a stand.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein an intermediate member is fixed in position between the main structural member and the second structural member and serves as a storage area for accessories for the held device.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the main structural member includes space to display a picture or graphic and includes a portion to hold a writing instrument.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein the main structural member is composed of at least two parts articulate elongated narrow strips, each defining an elongated slot, the strips being positionable by relative rotation.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the strips are fixed relative one to the other and configured to define a fanciful figure. 